California Contractor Insurance Requirements by Trade

California requires every licensed contractor to carry a $25,000 license bond and workers' compensation insurance (or file an exemption when eligible). LLC licensees must also carry liability insurance. Requirements vary with license status, employees, classification, and business structure; an exemption is not available to every trade.

These guides explain the insurance requirements and risk profile for each major California contractor trade. Each page covers what the CSLB requires, what it does not, and what additional coverage you should verify before hiring.

Insurance Guides by Trade

• California General Building Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California B-license general building contractors. License bond, workers comp, and general liability explained for residential and commercial projects.

• California Electrical Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-10 electrical contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage specific to electrical work.

• California HVAC Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-20 HVAC contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work.

• California Plumbing Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-36 plumbing contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for water damage and sewer work.

• California Roofing Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-39 roofing contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and why roofing carries the highest insurance premiums.

• California Solar Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-46 solar contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for photovoltaic and thermal solar installations.

• California Painting Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-33 painting contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and lead paint considerations.

• California Landscaping Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-27 landscaping contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for hardscape and irrigation work.

• California Concrete Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-8 concrete contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for structural concrete work.

• California Swimming Pool Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-53 swimming pool contractors. License bond, additional bond requirements, workers comp, and liability coverage for pool construction.

• California General Engineering Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California A-license general engineering contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for infrastructure projects.

• California Tile Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-54 ceramic and mosaic tile contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and waterproofing failure coverage.

• California Flooring Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-15 flooring contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for floor installation and refinishing.

• California Framing Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-5 framing and rough carpentry contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and structural defect coverage.

• California Residential Remodeling Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California B-2 residential remodeling contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for home renovation projects.

• California Drywall Contractor Insurance Requirements

  Insurance requirements for California C-9 drywall contractors. License bond, workers comp, general liability, and coverage for interior finishing work.

Common Requirements Across All Trades

Regardless of trade, every active California contractor must maintain:

1. Contractor license bond ($25,000) filed with the CSLB. Protects consumers against violations of the Contractors State License Law.
2. Workers' compensation insurance if the contractor has any employees. Sole proprietors with no employees may file an exemption only if their classification and circumstances qualify under current CSLB rules.

CSLB requires liability insurance for LLC licensees. Other contractors may need it under their project contracts. Ask about policy limits, exclusions, and proof of coverage before work begins.

For a detailed explanation of the difference between the license bond, workers' comp, and general liability insurance, see our contractor bond and insurance guide.